Panzer Elite is a true "8-bit" tank simulation made in 1999. Control up to 5 tanks in true WWII campaigns on either Axis or Allied sides. Each tank has realistic physics, recoil and controls as you traverse all kids of terrain in Europe.



Follow my step-by-step guide on installing, configuring and optimizing Panzer Elite in Linux with PlayOnLinux.

Note: This guide applies to the GOG version of Panzer Elite. Other versions may require additional steps.

Tips & Specs:

To learn more about PlayOnLinux and Wine configuration, see the online manual: PlayOnLinux Explained

Mint 19 64-bit
PlayOnLinux: 4.3.3
Wine: 3.0.3

Wine Installation

Click Tools
Select "Manage Wine Versions"


Look for the Wine Version: 3.0.3
Select it
Click the arrow pointing to the right


Click Next

Downloading Wine


Extracting

Downloading Gecko


Installed


Wine 3.0.3 is installed and you can close this window

PlayOnLinux Setup

Launch PlayOnLinux
Click Install


Click "Install a non-listed program"


Select "Install a program in a new virtual drive"
Click Next


Name the virtual drive: panzerelite
Click Next


Check all three options:

• Use another version of Wine
• Configure Wine
• Install some libraries

Click Next


Select Wine 3.0.3
Click Next


Select "32 bits windows installation"
Click Next


Wine Configuration

Applications Tab
Windows version: Windows 7


Graphics Tab
Check "Automatically capture the mouse in full-screen windows"
Click OK


PlayOnLinux Packages (DLLs, Libraries, Components)

Check the following:

• POL_Install_corefonts
• POL_Install_d3dx9
• POL_Install_tahoma

Click Next


Note: All packages should automatically download and install

Click Browse

Select "setup_panzer_elite_2.0.0.3.exe"
Click Open


Click Next again...

Click Options
Check "I agree to EULA"
Uncheck "Created desktop icons"
Click "Install"


Click Exit


PlayOnLinux Shortcut

Select "Panzer_Elite.exe"
Click Next


Name the shortcut: Panzer Elite
Click Next


Select "I don't want to make another shortcut"
Click Next


Note: For graphics settings, make another shortcut to "3D_Control_Center.exe"

PlayOnLinux Configure

Back to PlayOnLinux
Select "Panzer Elite"
Click Configure


General Tab
Wine version: 3.0.3


Display Tab
Video Memory size: Enter the amount of memory your video card/chip uses


Close Configure

Launch Panzer Elite
Click Run


Note: Click debug to see errors and bugs

Display Settings

Select "Direct3D Support"
Click Advanced
Adjust:

• Resolution
• Software Cursor
• Direct Draw Device
• Direct3D Device
• Filtered Textures
• Fog
• Depth Buffer
• Texture Detail
• View Distance

Click OK


Conclusion:
I was able to crank all the settings to high even though it didn't make a lot of difference in 16-bit color. Panzer Elite is a true retro simulation and has a lot of controls for everything these tanks can accomplish. Any computer or netbook should run it just fine at native resolutions. I was able to play at 1920x1080 which is amazing for such an old game. The only problem I experienced was randomly starting a mission and it immediately ends with failure. For some reason it never loads and I think it is due to screen resolution. Feel free to try using Wine's Virtual Desktop or playing windowed.

Gameplay Video:


Screenshots: